News

March 11, 2015

Polish-Canadian Stamp Club welcomes 600-plus

Tom Malicki, Troyak president, said organizers were happy with this year's turnout.

The Polish-Canadian Coin & Stamp Club (Troyak) tried to build on recent years’ successes at its 12th annual show and sale earlier this month.

Tom Malicki, Troyak president, said the club welcomed about 280 attendees each day, and organizers were happy with the turn out.

“We, the organizers, are very happy with the turn out and hope the dealers are happy as well. The attendance on Saturday was about 280 people, and on Sunday, we estimate the same or more, judging by the traffic at the doors – so overall about 600-plus.”

He said the response he got from dealers was positive.

“I think they were happy. I asked several dealers if they are happy, their feedback to improve the show and if they are coming back next year and got an overwhelming yes,” said Malicki, adding that some dealers requested their tables for next year’s show, to be held March 5 and 6, 2016.

This year’s show ran March 7 and 8 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the John Paul II Polish-Canadian Cultural Centre in Mississauga.

Malicki said the annual show is important because it brings the hobby to Mississauga, giving an opportunity for both collectors and dealers to meet in a nice, spacious venue.

“For the club, it is an opportunity to showcase some of our collections and celebrate a special event in the history of Poland and Canada. It is also an opportunity to talk to visitors and tell them about the club since we are always looking for new members.”

This year’s theme was the 35th anniversary of Solidarity – the vast social movement responsible for toppling Communism across Europe – with large displays provided by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto.

“The movement was crucial for overthrowing the Communist government in Poland, and then that movement spread across Europe,” said Malicki.

Following the Second World War, Solidarity became the first independent labour union in a Soviet-bloc country, starting a wide-scale, non-violent, anti-Communist movement that reached nearly 10 million members at its peak.

Greg Wasniewski, the Troyak member who helped organized the Solidarity displays, said Pope John Paul II played a big role in the Polish independence movement.

“He encouraged people not to fight but also not to give up their dream. Always, he taught us in the spirit of the Bible: don’t go by force, go by goodwill.”

Below are some photos from the 12th annual Troyak show and sale. You can read more about the show in a feature story to be published in the next edition of CCN.

Stan Kipa, of Swiss Silver, was the only dealer to offer Bitcoin — “a very new, very revolutionary form of currency,” he said.

These Troyak members helped organize the John Paul II displays near the front of the room.

A few of the Papal stamps offered by Stanley Doktor Stamps.

Gary (left) and Andrew Fedora, of Select Coins.

Greg Wasniewski (left) and Mieczyslaw Lutczyk, who is a Second World War veteran of three fronts — 1939 in Poland, 1940 in France and after D-Day in Normandy. Wasniewski said Lutczyk fought under General Maczek of the panzer division.